Russia says it is prepared to strike terrorist camps outside its borders

The weapons could be used in precision strikes outside Russia's borders, an unnamed air force official told Russian news agency Itar-Tass.

He said the non-nuclear missiles had been fitted to Russia's heavy jet bombers, the Tu-160 and Tu-95C.

They have a range of more than 3,000km (1,800 miles) and are highly accurate.

Warhead

The announcement comes three days after Russia said it was ready to strike alleged terrorist camps outside its frontiers using technology similar to that developed by the US.

The report by Itar-Tass did not specify the type of missile being used on Russia's intercontinental bombers.

It quotes the air force general as saying: "These cruise missiles... can miss a target by no more than a few metres while carrying a warhead of hundreds of kilotons."

Russia's defence ministry last week said it had successfully tested a modernised anti-ballistic missile at a range in the former Soviet Republic of Kazakhstan.

Russia has also been testing new nuclear missile systems, its President Vladimir Putin said in November.

Mr Putin held talks on Monday with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, aimed at boosting trade in military technology.